We raise the question of how Ireland can become an innovative knowledge economy. Questioning received orthodoxy we show that Irish culture should put more value on scientific skills, promote a scientifically literate culture, and reform institutional and structural support systems to develop an innovative knowledge-based economy. Developing the idea of knowledge as essentially a complex emergent phenomenon we illustrate the importance of system supports for the development of knowledge and learning through the idea of a national system of innovation. Using the Priority Pointing Procedure, derived from Nomology, we explore the key priorities for Ireland.